How leading Tech Startups protect their Technology effectively, managing Intellectual Property, Trade Secrets, Copyrights and Patents.
While the launch of a tech startup is exciting, each entrepreneur needs to establish a strong legal foundation to protect itself and its intellectual property (IP). Indeed, Intellectual Property (patents, designs, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets) is a key driver in a Company’s commercial success.
Indeed the value of a start-up is usually directly linked to two aspects of intellectual property:
First, the protection of own intellectual property.
Startups are initially not in the position to challenge the top dogs. This is due to their financial power, reputation, market penetration and relationships to other players in the market. Therefore, to make a great idea into an economic success, the idea needs effective legal protection.
Second, the protection against third party’s intellectual property.
Intellectual property rights create monopolies. The owners of intellectual property rights use them to fend off competition. As a result Third party’s intellectual property can be a show-stopper. In effect, Startups have limited funds to use in legal matters and navigate through this complexity. Therefore, Startups need a strategy in place to avoid such pitfalls very early on.
This Tech Talk addresses how leading Tech Startups protect their Technology effectively, managing Intellectual Property, Trade Secrets, Copyrights and Patents we also address questions like:
- Which type of intellectual property is best suited for my business?
- Is it better to patent or to maintain secrecy?
- How do I manage Process vs. Product IP?
- Which third party intellectual property rights are relevant for my business?
- How can I reach reasonable certainty with regards to third party’s intellectual property rights?
We talk with Daniel Hoppe, Certified IP Specialist Lawyer with the German based IP law firm PREU BOHLIG & PARTNER. He draws from his experience in advising start-ups in matters of intellectual property and from his experience in intellectual property litigation.
Check-out also our detailed posts on Commercial Growth and prototyping:
Check out our other Tech Talks and insights on Financing and B2B sales in our Startup Guide